Results 43,361-43,380 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Certainly. It was on the agenda of the last Council meeting and we will continue to raise it. I will take on board what the Deputy said.

EU Membership (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 22 July the International Court of Justice, ICJ, delivered its advisory opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo. The court's advisory ruling held, by a majority of ten to four, that the declaration of independence did not violate international law, Security Council Resolution 1244 or the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self Government of Kosovo....

EU Membership (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are clearly at an early stage in the process and, therefore, a specific timeframe has not been set. The very fact that both parties have indicated a willingness to engage represents significant progress, which is positive. We must not lose sight of the fact that there is still tension, particularly in the predominantly Serb areas of northern Kosovo. Dialogue is extremely important to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Until the enactment of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, there was no basis in Irish law or no arrangements in place for formally recognising unmarried partners of diplomatic staff serving abroad. The question of the effect of this new legislation, when commenced, on future arrangements for unmarried partners of diplomatic staff serving abroad,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated in reply to previous questions on this matter, Cement Roadstone Holdings owns a minority shareholding of approximately 25% in Mashav Initiating and Development Limited, which is the holding company for the main Israeli cement producer, Nesher. This 25% stake does not give CRH any control over Nesher's operational matters. The Israeli company supplies cement to all of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my previous written answers to him on this case on 20 and 28 October 2010. I would like to confirm that there have been no new developments in this case since that time. Our Honorary Consul in Phuket has been in e-mail contact with the father offering to meet with him to discuss the case but, to date, she has received no response.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (11 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, also known as the "Brahimi Report", which was published in 2000, charted a renewed vision for UN peacekeeping that helped make peacekeeping stronger, more effective and comparatively cost-efficient. It addressed many challenges and set down principles which remain central to modern peacekeeping today. In the intervening years,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: In accordance with Public Financial Procedures, it is the Department's policy to pay matured liabilities as and when they arise, subject to presentation of valid invoices and, where appropriate, confirmation that the payee holds a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Irish Revenue Commissioners. The Department is subject to the Prompt Payment of Accounts legislation (which provides that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The attached tables set out, for both Votes, the details of reports commissioned by the Department in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 and the costs in each case. The table includes 4 reports on the EU which I requested the Department to commission prior to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Department is responsible for two votes - Votes 28 (Foreign Affairs) and 29 (International cooperation – Irish Aid). Expenditure on public relations and advertising arises under subhead A3 on both votes. Advertising undertaken by my Department typically includes: advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, and public...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (10 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: A person whose father was born in Northern Ireland is entitled to apply for an Irish passport. In support of a passport application, the applicant should enclose their long form birth certificate and the long form birth certificate of the father. If the applicant is over eighteen years of age they should also provide some additional form of photo-identification, e.g. drivers licence; work...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the case raised by the Deputy which was also notified to my Department by the Moroccan Embassy on 19 October. Mr. Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud, a Moroccan Sahrawi, was detained on 21 September by the Polisario Front. Mr. Mouloud lived with his wife and family in the el-Ayoun camp, a Polisario-run Sahrawi refugee camp near Tindouf, Algeria. Mr. Mouloud is understood to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Twenty two staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs availed of the incentivised career break scheme. The net savings on salary are set out in the table. The Deputy will be aware that the scheme is due to terminate in 2012. Year Amount 2009 â'¬221,229 2010 â'¬648,283 2011 (estimated) â'¬648,283 2012 (estimated) â'¬486,212 Total â'¬2,004,007

Written Answers — Good Friday Agreement: Good Friday Agreement (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss developments in Northern Ireland and to review our shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of all aspects of the Agreement, including the provision for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. At...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: A passport application from the person in question was received in the office of the Consulate General of Ireland in Sydney, on 29 September, 2010. The application was incomplete and there were problems with the photographs. The consulate contacted the applicant that same day and advised that further documentation and new photographs were required. No response was received from the...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 6 October 2010, the European Union and the Republic of Korea signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Brussels, immediately prior to the start of the fifth summit meeting between the two sides. Earlier, in May, both sides had signed an EU - Korea Framework Agreement, which provides a broad platform for bilateral cooperation, including on global political and economic issues. The FTA itself...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the Lo-Call service operated for the Department's main number and Passport Offices can impose a higher cost on mobile phone users. In mid 2009 a note was added to electronic publications indicating that rates for Lo-Call services may vary among different services providers. A similar notice will be included in any new literature published. All publications include both...

Written Answers — Product Labelling: Product Labelling (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: While regulation of food labelling is not the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs, I share the view of the Deputy that many Irish consumers would wish to be aware if they were being asked to purchase produce originating in illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. I therefore instructed my officials to initiate contacts on the matter with the responsible...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about reports concerning the protest camp set up by Saharawi demonstrators on the outskirts of Laayoune in early October. According to these reports, the Moroccan security forces entered the camp yesterday morning to disperse the protestors and the camp is now effectively closed. At least two officials are reported to have been killed and an unconfirmed number of...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (9 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Following a recent review of their guidelines, the Department of Justice and Law Reform have confirmed that where a child is born in the State after one of their parents has been granted refugee status, section 6A (2) (d) (i) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, applies and the child therefore has an entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Passport Office has now...